File for household accounts and the like.



. J. R. BAILEY.

FILE FOR HOUSEHOLD ACCOUNTS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1914.

1,1 17,126. Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHDTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. JAMES ROBERT BAILEY, OF MOSS VALE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO JAMES LEES, 0F MOSS VALE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.

FILE non HOUSEHOLD nccouivrs AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

Application filed January 8, 19 14. Serial No. 811,078. r

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES ROBERT BAILEY, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident in the postal town of Moss Vale, in the State of New South Vales, Commonwealth of Australia, (whose p0st-oflice address is Commercial Hotel, in the said postal town of Moss Vale,) have invented a certain new and useful Improved File for Household Accounts and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to household accounts and the like, which are usually placed upon a file suspended or at-- tached to a wall or the like for convenience.

In the past various devices have been provided, many of which have employed spikes upon which accounts, invoices and the like may be filed, but these have often been defective as they have not usually afforded any means of classification, and in addition the accounts or other papers, if thrust upon and pierced by a spike could not generally be readily removed without removal of succeeding or later papers.

The object of this invention is to provide a file of extremely simple and cheap construction, which is light, strong and durable,

and enables papers to be attached or re moved'with readiness.

The invention provides for the accounts or other papers being readily classified and may be conveniently suspended to a wall or the like or employed in an upright position upon a table or desk.

In order that this invention may be better understood reference will now be made to the accompanying sheet of drawings, which are to be taken as part of this specification and read herewith.

Figure l is a perspective view and Fig. 2 a vertical sectional view of one embodiment of this invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail of two of the classifying members, showing different positions of the slots therein and showing the spring tongue in one member as bent aside. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of another embodiment of this invention, Fig. 4 containing the classifying members and Fig. 5 omitting them. Fig. 6 is a perspective view and Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of still another embodiment of this invention, Fig. 7 showing some of the classifying members and the cover member in place; and Fig. Sis a slight modification of this type of my invention, as will yet be described. Figs. 9 and 1.0 are a perspective view and an elevation respectively of yet another embodiment of my lnvention.

' The construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 embodies a base plate having a beaded top 2, 'a beaded bottom 3 and beaded sides 4. By means of the beading of the top, bottom and side edges a flexible outset center portion 5 is formed. Secured to said plate at the top thereof is a suspension hook 6 having a depending hill 7 in which is formed a nail hole indicated at 8. Secured to the back plate near the top 2 thereof is the inner end 9 of a tubular pillar or distance rod, the outer end 10 of-which is secured to the upper end of the inner plate 11 of a head. Secured to the said inner plate 11 is an outwardly bent outer head plate 12. Secured to the lower end of the outer head plate 12 is the inner end of a finger piece or ring 13 Formed between the inner and outer plates 11 and 12 is a chamber or passageway 14 for notes and the like, or the circular bed indicated at 17. Resting in the bed 17 is the point 18 of an inner spike 19,

the inner end 20 of which is secured tothe base plate 5 below the tubular pillar before mentioned.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a base plate 34 is provided of circular or other conformation. Formed through the said plate are screw or nail holes 35 whereby it may be attached to a wall or the like. Secured to the base plate is a retention plate 36 having an outbend 37 therein. WVith the back plate is used a filing element preferably formed of a single piece of wire. One end consists of a pointed spike 38, next to which is a first cross member 39 passing ing from the coil 41 is a second cross member e2 serving as the head above described, and integral with which is a spring leg T3. Secured to the spring leg 4:3 is one end i i of a tubular closing member or outer spike, the other end 4-5 of which is pointed or reduced to provide a channel or semi-circular bed indicated at 4:6. Resting in the channel or bed 16 is the point of the inner spike 38 before mentioned.

The construction shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 has a base comprising a circumferential flange 47, above which is a collar 48. EX- tending across the collar is a crown 4:9 having therein two (more or less) holes. Formed beneath the crown by the collar is a chamber indicated at 50. Passing through one of the holes in the crown T9 is the reduced threaded lower end 51 of a pillar or support. The reduced portion 51 forms a step or shoulder 52, which bears upon the crown 4-9. Threaded upon the lower end 51 beneath the crown T9 and within the chamber 50 is a nut 53. Or instead of providing a reduced lower end a nut may be provided and bear upon the upper side of the crown 4-9. Integral with the lower end 51 is the body portion 5% of the pillar, having an integral reduced threaded upper end 55 provided with a step or shoulder 56. On the threaded upper end 55 is a nut 57 or a nut may be provided instead of the step or shoulder 56.

With the foregoing base and pillar is used a head comprising a bottom plate 58 having therein two (more or less) holes corresponding with the holes in the crown 49. The re duced upper end of the pillar or support pass-es through one of the said holes. Above the head is a cap 59 having a circumferential edge (30 bearing upon the bottom plate 58 and secured thereto in any suitable and well known manner. Above the head is a suspension or finger ring (51 having aneck 69., passing freely through the cap 59. Integral with the neck 62 is an enlargement 63 retaining the said ring 61 to the cap 59. Passing through one of the holes formed in the bottom plate 58 is the reduced threaded upper end 64; of an upper spike. The said upper end 64.- by the reduced portion is pro vided with a step or shoulder 65 hearing be neath the bottom plate 58 of the head. Threaded upon the spike upper end 64, above the bottom plate 58 and beneath the cap 59 of the head, is a nut 66. Or a nut may be employed instead of the step or shoulder 55. Integral with the upper end (11 is an intermediate portion 67 having an integral lower end 68 provided with a point 69. Adjoining the point (39 of the upper spike is the point 7 O of the upper end 71 of a lower spike. The lower end 7:2 of the lower spike may be threaded and reduced thereby providing a step or shoulder 73. The reduced threaded lower end passes through one of thereby provided between the overlapping portions. Between the upper and lower spikes and the pillar or support is a retaining space indicated at 76.

With both of the foregoing modifications is used a series of classifying members and a protecting cover of the character already described.

As shown in Fig. 8, two upper and two lower spikes may be used if desired, thereby providing a double file. Or any other number of spikes may be employed.

In the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the base includes a flat plate 77 through which the lower end of the lower spike and the lower end of the pillar or support pass. The said plate is provided with two upturned sides 78, between which is formed a compartment indicated at 79. Secured to and beneath the plate 77 is a cap 80. Between the cap 80 and the plate 77 is a space or passage 81, which may be used to accommodate notes or the like.

hen employing the end piece 77 a head 82 may also be provided having a cap piece 88. Between the head 82 and the said cap piece 83 isa space or passage 84 for notes or for the finger. Or two end pieces may be used and the file be disposed in a horizontal direction.

\Vith any embodiment or type of this invention classifying members are employed as best illustrated separately in Fig. 3. Each consists of a plate which may be of metal, cardboard, or suitable material, the plate having an upper end 21, a lower end 22, and an elongated opening or slot 28 through its body between these ends, leaving sides 24:, one of the latter being transversely slitted as at 25 to divide it into two spring tongues 26. The position of the slots in the various members differs progressively throughout the series, as best seen by an inspection of Fig. 1 wherein the upper end 21 of each member is employed to carry some word or legend, and the legends on the various members in the groups will be exposed by reason of the arrangement of the slots 28. By preference I employ also a protecting cover member 27 having an upper end 28 and a lower end 29, and an upright opening or slot 30 between its two side portions 81, one of the latter being provided with a slit 3.. forming spring tongues 38. Thus this cover member approximates the construction of the classifying members, excepting that it letter, bill, or piece of paper may be filed by passing its upper edge between the points of the spikes where they overlap (seen especially at in Fig. 9) and then moving the paper so that the lowest or innermost spike pierces it. It is intended that the spikes shall overlap for a less distance than the distance between the'pillar and the pair of spikes, andtherefore the paper after having been put onto the lowest spike as described can be allowed to hang or turned aside as desired. lVith the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the papers would obviously hang, and therefore the lower end 29 of the covers 27'shown in Fig. 2 would cover and protect them. In the embodiments of my invention elsewhere illustrated in the drawings, the papers would lie out from the device upon the table or other support, and the cover 27 would overlie them. In any-embodiment of my invention, the classifyingmembers are employed as spacers between groups of" papers or bills, and may be used to separate them on any basis of classification. In the drawings 1 have shown the names of the months on several of these classifiers, but they could be provided with index letters or numbers or other forms of differentiation, the same being preferably disposed on the upper ends 21 thereof which are suc cessively exposed to view by reason of the disposition of the holes or slots 23 as above explained. To put any of these classifying members or the cover 27 onto the device, the

spring tongues 2-6 or 33 are bent aside to form an opening which is passed over the pillar, and then the lower end 22 is passed between the points of the tongues and the entire member turned so that the slot 23 embraces both the pillar and the tongues. The cover 27 is obviously applied in the same way. In the construction illustrated in Figs. at and 5, the equivalent of the head 42 is not larger than the slots 23 and 80, as it is in the other constructions, and the classifying members and cover might be passed directly over this head 42'; but it is possible to make this member larger or to provide it with a different form of spring at the point 41, and in any event the classifying devices and cover could be applied as in the other embodiments. The form of spring here shown at ll may also be used as a finger piece, like the ring .61 in Figs. 7 and 8, the element 83 in Figs- 9 and 10, or the ring 13 or element 14 in Figs. 1 and 2; but obviously a finger piece will be of more use where the device stands upright and has to be lifted when it is to be moved. I do not wish to be limited in this respect, however, as the construction of the filing element and of the classifying members is sub stantially the same whether the device is mounted ona wall or upright support, or stands upon a table. i

Having now described my invention what I claim as new'and desireto secure by Let'- ters Patent is i H 1. An improved file for household accountsand the like, consisting of the combination of a base, a pillar or support carried by said base, a head carriedby said pillar or support, a finger piece carried by said head, an upper spike depending from. said head, a lower spike upstanding from the base, said spike ends overlapping and forming an entry space, and a series of classifying members and a protecting cover' mounted uponsaid pillar or support an embracing the spikes. v

2. An improved file for household accounts and. the like, consisting of the combination of a base, a pillar or support upstanding therefrom, a lower spike upstanding therefrom, a head carried by said pillar or support, an upper spike depending from said head, said spikes overlapping and forming an entry space, a series of classifying members embracing the pillar and the spikes, each .member having therein an elongated hole forming side portions, and a slit formed through one of said side portions, and dividing the same into spring tongues. I

8. An improved file for household accounts and the like, consisting of the combination of a base having a circumferential flange, a collar upstanding therefrom, a crown extending across the collar, a pillar or support having a reduced lower end passing through the crown, a reduced upper end to said pillar or support, a head having a bottom plate, said reduced upper end passing'through said plate, an upper spike having a reduced upper end passing through said plate, a cap secured to said plate, a suspension ring carried by the cap, a lower spike having a reduced lower end passing through the crown of the base, a series of classifying members and a protecting cover embracing the pillar and the spikes, each member and thecover having an elongated holetherein forming side portions, one of said portions of each member andthe cover having a slit therein.

V a. An improved file for household use comprising a pair of spaced plates, a pillar secured to and'extending between the plates, a spike extending from each plate toward the other plate, the spikes being of less lengththan the pillar and having pointed ends overlapping and out of alinement with each other, and classifying members provided with slotted openings through which pass the pillar and spikes, the pillar standing in one end of the slot and the spikes in the other end.

5. The combination with a filing device including a base and a pillar and a spike projecting from the base in substantial parallelism; of a series of plates having openings so disposed as to receive both the pillar and spike, the openings being arranged in progressive order throughout the series whereby the plates have a stepped relation to each other.

6. The combination with a filing device including a base, and two elements project ing from he base in substantial parallelism; of a series of plates having slots so disposed as to receive both the elements, the slots be- .ing arranged in progressive order throughout the series whereby the plates have a stepped relation to each other.

7. A filing device including two elements standing in substantial parallelism; combined with a series of rectangular plates having longitudinal slots of a length to receive both elements the slots being arranged in progressive order throughout the series whereby the ends of the plates have a stepped relation to each other, for the purpose set forth.

8. A filing device including two elements standing in substantial parallelism; combined with a series of rectangular plates having longitudinal slots of a length to re ceive both elements, the slots being arranged in progressive order throughout the series whereby the ends of the plates have a stepped relation to each other, and a cover plate larger than any other plate and having a similar slot, for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination with a filing device comprising a base, a head, a pillar connecting these elements, and spikes projecting from the same elements and having their pointed ends overlapping; of a series of classifying members consisting of plates having slots through them arranged in progressive order whereby the ends of the members have a stepped relation to each other, and a slit leading from the slot in each plate to the periphery of the same and producing spring tongues.

10. A filing device including a base, a head, and a pair of substantially parallel elements connecting them, one of said elements being in two parts; combined with a plurality of classifying members whereof each consists of a plate having an elongated opening in its body, the length of the opening being suflicient to include both said elements, and a slit leading from the opening through one side of the plate and producing spring tongues at opposite sides of such slit, for the purpose set forth.

11. A filing device including a base, a head, and a pair of substantially parallel. elements connecting them, one of said elements being in two parts; combined with a series of classifying members consisting of rectangular plates having longitudinal slots through them long enough to embrace both said elements, the slots in the series being arranged in progressive order whereby the plates have a stepped relation to each other, and a slit leading from the slot in each plate to the periphery of the same and producing spring tongues at opposite sides of such slit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aliined my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES ROBERT BAILEY.

l Witnesses GEORGE CLARKE, JAMEs Lens.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01' Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

